THE HILL • June 25, 2020
President Trump ordered the Department of Agriculture to offer a lifeline to the struggling Maine lobster industry that has been hit hard by his trade policies with China. Trump’s trade war with China evaporated Maine’s chief export market as escalating tariffs led China to place a 35 percent markup on lobster. The order from Trump all but directs the Agriculture Department to extend a $30 billion farm bailout program to Maine’s commercial fishers. The financial relief could have political benefits as well, particularly for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is facing a tough reelection campaign in a contest that could determine the next Senate majority.